Kathmandu marked a proud and meaningful milestone in inclusive entrepreneurship with the grand opening of Chill Pill Zone, a café and restaurant owned and operated by members of the GSM/LGBTIQ+ community.

The opening ceremony was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting by Mr. Sunil Babu Pant, pioneer LGBTIQ+ rights activist and Executive Director of Mayako Pahichan Nepal, alongside Mr. Babu Dumi Rai and Mr. Surendra Pandey, symbolizing a collective journey from economic exclusion to economic inclusion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sunil Babu Pant highlighted that Chill Pill Zone represents a new chapter in Nepal’s inclusion story.

“This initiative is not just about opening a café; it is about opening pathways to economic participation for GSM/LGBTIQ+ communities. For decades, our community has faced exclusion from formal employment and entrepreneurship. Chill Pill Zone demonstrates that economic empowerment must go hand in hand with rights-based advocacy. This is also a key economic component of a broader and long-term vision for LGBTIQ+ tourism development in Nepal.”

Babu Dumi Rai shared that the opening of Chill Pill Zone carries deep symbolic and practical significance.

“Today, we are witnessing a shift—from being pushed to the margins of the economy to becoming visible contributors. This business is about dignity, self-reliance, and inspiring other GSM/LGBTIQ+ individuals to believe in their entrepreneurial potential.”

Surendra Pandey, Founder of Mayako Pahichan Nepal, emphasized the collective nature of the achievement.

“Five committed GSM/LGBTIQ+ community members have come together to build this enterprise. It proves that when the community leads and institutions support, inclusion becomes real and sustainable.”
Representing the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Mr. Dharma Dawadi expressed NTB’s strong support for GSM/LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurship and inclusive tourism.

“Nepal Tourism Board is happy to support initiatives like Chill Pill Zone that promote inclusive, diverse, and community-led tourism. Supporting GSM/LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs strengthens Nepal’s image as a welcoming destination and contributes to sustainable tourism development. Inclusive tourism is not only about destinations—it is about people, livelihoods, and equal opportunities.”

Mayako Pahichan Nepal proudly supported this initiative as part of its broader mission to integrate economic empowerment with human rights advocacy. The project is complemented by the Nepal Tourism Board and UNDP’s Sustainable Tourism Project, reflecting a shared commitment to equitable growth and inclusive tourism ecosystems.

The organizers expressed sincere gratitude to Safal Partners for business incubation and entrepreneurship training, and to Cochina Mittho Cha for bakery and barista training, which equipped the founders with practical skills to operate a professional and sustainable hospitality venture.

Special thanks were also extended to all supporters and partners, with particular appreciation to the British Embassy and the European Union for their presence at the opening ceremony, demonstrating international solidarity for inclusive economic development and LGBTIQ+ rights in Nepal.

As Chill Pill Zone opens its doors in Kathmandu, it stands as more than a café—it is a living example of how economic inclusion transforms lives and how inclusive tourism can become a powerful driver of social justice, dignity, and national pride.

🌈 Chill Pill Zone: From exclusion to inclusion, one step—and one cup—at a time. 🌈